Today, technology transformation is associated with new tools, disruptive uses of data and concepts such as machine learning, artificial intelligence and blockchain. Yet we can't forget that behind every technology product, development and process there is a human element: the team doing the work, and the leader who sets the course for how digital adoption actually happens.

With that in mind, it's worth reflecting on the human values and pillars that define the people who are bringing more and more companies and individuals into the digital ecosystem, helping them adopt technology in how they work and relate to one another. In other words, leaders with clearly transformational traits.

Transformational leadership is a style in which leaders encourage, inspire and motivate employees to innovate and drive the changes that will help the company grow and shape its future success. It is a management style designed to give people more room to be creative, look ahead and find new solutions to old problems.

That is why transformational leaders build their leadership on four core pillars:

  1. Encourage curiosity. The desire, or the need, to learn more about a subject has a positive effect on innovation, decision-making and even how people respond to problems and challenging situations. That's why a leader should make sure the team stays curious, reflecting and digging deeper to find the right course of action in their work.
  2. Empower the team. Trust in a team should show up not only in delegating tasks but in people feeling able to own their responsibilities. A leader should encourage them to take risks, on the premise that a mistake is always a new chance to do things differently and better.
  3. Challenge the team constantly. Beyond listening to the team, a leader should question them often, prompting them to reflect on what they expect from their environment, what they want to achieve and the paths they have set to get there. That way, a leader looks beyond business results and becomes invested in the professional growth of each team member.
  4. Convey the company's values. To inspire a team, leaders need to build a connection between its members and the company's identity and purpose. A leader should communicate the company's values and messages so people do their work understanding why they do what they do. Today many people no longer make career decisions based on salary alone, but on factors such as organizational culture and the company's growth potential.

Building on these pillars, a transformational leader needs to develop four specific skills:

  1. Make the most of data. Make decisions grounded in numbers, with a strong share of quantitative analysis, whether internal or from market intelligence. This builds a culture of critical thinking and curiosity.
  2. Become a storyteller. Transformational leaders keep things simple, which lets them turn tough messages into something anyone can understand and connect with any audience.
  3. Be an influencer. Through their messages, they help people develop a stronger sense of ownership and confidence in their decisions. In fast-growing companies, every individual needs to take on a leadership role and feel empowered.
  4. Build the best team. Results depend not only on each member's talent but on making the most of each person's strengths and opportunities in their area.

This is consistent with the findings of Deloitte's Global Technology Leadership Study, which shows that technology leaders can no longer be only business co-creators or trusted operators. To stay relevant, they must drive real change and learning that goes well beyond technical knowledge.

Good leadership is without doubt a key driver of results in any company, including those in the middle of a digital transformation. Competition today is measured not only by the number of customers but also by the potential of internal talent and how that talent is empowered and challenged. Leaders who understand and apply these pillars and skills will strengthen any process or outcome in any industry, including the adoption of new technology tools.

Originally published in Spanish on LinkedIn on July 26, 2022.

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